Systems and methods for ad-supported mobile data plans or in-app purchases

ABSTRACT

Methods are disclosed for providing an ad-supported mobile data plan, where ad display may be tied to data usage levels and user input. A method includes receiving, using at least one processor, user interaction with advertisement content displayed on a device; retrieving, using the at least one processor, a data usage limit associated with the device; and causing a change in the data usage limit based on the user interaction with the advertisement content displayed on the device.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority from ProvisionalApplication Nos. 61/932,296 filed Jan. 28, 2014, No. 61/955,038 filedMar. 18, 2014, and No. 62/046,007 filed Sep. 4, 2014, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to mobileadvertising, mobile data usage, and electronic transactions andmessaging. More specifically, particular embodiments of the presentdisclosure relate to systems and methods for managing mobile advertisingand electronic transactions and messaging based on consumercharacteristics, consumer data usage, and consumer interactions.

BACKGROUND

Consumers are increasingly using their mobile devices to access onlinecontent, such as websites, videos, and photos, as well as mobile andonline services, such as electronic messaging, social networking, andthe like. With the increasing availability of such mobile content andservices, the use of mobile devices in this manner often involvessignificant amounts of data usage. Data usage is expensive from theperspective of mobile services networks or carriers. As a result, mobilenetworks and carriers typically pass along the significant costs ofregular and heavy data usage to their customers in the form of monthlysubscription contracts or pay-as-you-go subscriptions that are oftenperceived as being expensive for average consumers. Meanwhile, users areoften unwilling or unable to pay for an amount of data that they useand/or desire to use. Some users opt out of data plans altogether.

At the same time, mobile devices present prime opportunities fordisplaying advertisements of different types. Users spend expansiveamounts of time looking at and interacting with their mobile devicescreens. Companies (i.e., advertisers of goods and services) and anyother editorial- or sponsored-content providers would therefore benefitfrom the ability to capitalize on the screen time and engage in moreopportunities to advertise. Specially, an average user checks theirphone more than ninety times in a day, with a lock screen havingsignificantly higher engagement than any other mobile real estate.

Accordingly, a need exists for systems and methods for enabling variousadvertising and content displays in exchange for permitting certainlevels of mobile data consumption. More generally, a need exists forsystems and methods for managing ad-supported mobile data plans.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed forproviding an ad-supported mobile data plan, where the display of adcontent may be associated with data usage levels and user input (e.g.,interaction with the ad content or opting to provide information usefulto content providers). For example, displayed ads and ad content may becharacterized by different attributes. One attribute may include theformat of the displayed ad (e.g., whether the displayed ad is large orsmall relative to a user interface, how long the display lasts, and astatic versus dynamic display). One exemplary method includes receiving,using at least one processor, user interaction with advertisementcontent displayed on a device; retrieving, using the at least oneprocessor, a data usage limit associated with the device; and causing achange in the data usage limit based on the user interaction with theadvertisement content displayed on the device. Determining theattributes for ad display may further take into account whether a userhas interacted with previously displayed ad content and/or whether theuser volunteered information that content providers may use to targettheir content.

Another embodiment may include a system for processing electronictransactions between a between a device and content provider, the systemcomprising: a data storage device storing instructions for processingelectronic transactions; and a processor configured to execute theinstructions to perform a method comprising: receiving, using at leastone processor, user interaction with advertisement content displayed ona device; retrieving, using the at least one processor, a data usagelimit associated with the device; and causing a change in the data usagelimit based on the user interaction with the advertisement contentdisplayed on the device.

Additional embodiments and advantages will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Theembodiments and advantages will be realized and attained by means of theelements and combinations particularly pointed out below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary environment 100 and network101 for selecting ad displays according to data usage, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram 200 of format platform 113 for selectingcontent attributes for display according to data usage, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram 220 of ad-usage association module 207 fordetermining associations between data usage and content to display,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 300 for selectingcontent display according to data usage, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 for creatingassociations that underlie selection of content attributes for displayaccording to data usage, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 for selecting andreceiving prompts prior to changing content attributes for displayaccording to data usage, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 includes diagrams of user interfaces showing static or dynamiccontent display, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B include diagrams of user interfaces showing static ordynamic content display, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 8A-8D include diagrams of user interfaces relating to a lockedscreen, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9D are diagrams of exemplary user interfaces indicating offersin exchange for a user using a service or app-related lock screen,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-11C are diagrams of user interfaces included in exemplarylocked screens, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B include diagrams of user interfaces showing datausage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In view of the challenges outlined above, systems and methods aredisclosed for enabling carriers to offset users' unpaid data usage, forexample, by displaying content. Specifically, the content displayed mayrefer to advertisements. For example, systems and methods are disclosedfor enabling carriers to dictate content attributes for displaysrelative to users' data consumption. As described above, other knowncharacteristics may also be used in conjunction with or in thealternative to the principles of the present disclosure.

One embodiment may involve displaying advertisements in formats dictatedby a user's data consumption relative to the user's data plan. Forexample, advertisements on a user's device may be displayed moreprominently (e.g., lock screen displays, displays that take up a largeportion of a screen, displays that request user interaction before auser may resume usage of his device, etc.) if a user is nearing thelimit of data consumption on a respective data plan. In contrast, a userwell within the data consumption quotas of his data plan may experiencefew advertisements or inconspicuous displays (e.g. advertisementdisplays that take up a smaller portion of a screen, static displays,displays that do not interrupt a user's activity to request a userinteraction, etc.).

The ad display (or ad-supported data plan) may offset express userpayment of a higher data plan, while still permitting a user toexperience the benefits of a higher data plan. For example, a userexperiencing many ads being displayed on her device (since her dataconsumption exceeds her current data plan) may realize that a higherdata plan may be more appropriate for her desired data consumption, andthus purchase a higher data plan. Since her data consumption may then bewell within the usage limits of her new data plan, ad displays may beless prominent than the displays when the data usage exceeded the limitspermitted by the user's data plan. In another use case, a user mayexceed his data plan only on rare occasions. The ad-supported data planmay allow the user to surpass a data plan allotment in exchange fordisplaying ads at the user's interface for a set period of time, and theuser may conclude that his usage does not warrant a data plan upgrade.In yet another scenario, a user may find that his user experience isvirtually free of ads, in which case, his data plan may far exceed hisactual, regular data consumption. This user may then decide to switch toa lower data plan. In other words, the ad-supported data plan may permitusers to seamlessly experiment with data plans and find data plans thatsuit their data consumption.

Alternately or in addition, one embodiment may include displaying aprompt to a user regarding selections of alternate data plans. Forexample, a prompt may indicate a user's data consumption relative toconsumption limits of his data plan. The prompt may suggest alternatedata plan(s), including data plans of higher data usage allocations,data plans with lower data usage allocations, data plans incorporatingads (e.g., where various data allocations may be subsidized by variousforms of ad display on the user's device), etc. In one embodiment, suchprompts may be displayed when a user is observed to be regularlyconsuming data at levels better corresponding to data plans other thanthe user's data plan.

In one embodiment, displays may include rendering advertisements on adefault device interface, e.g., a lock screen. For example, a lockscreen may include a screen that a device displays when a user interactswith a device after a period of being idle. In some cases, a lock screenrequests an interaction from a user in order for a user to proceed withusing the device. For instance, a lock screen may prompt a user to entera code, perform a movement or gesture, enter a form of identification(e.g., biometric identification), select an option out of a multipleoptions, etc. The present disclosure further describes displayingsponsored content in a default device interface. In some interfaces, adefault device interface may present sponsored content and allow a userto access (e.g., download) content related to the sponsored content(e.g., promotions, virtual currency, more sponsored content, a widget orapp representing the sponsor, etc.). In some cases, the sponsoredcontent may be associated with a specific goods or services provider,e.g., a sponsored content lock screen. In other cases, the sponsoredcontent may present content from a decentralized assortment of goodsand/or services. The embodiments described may be applied to variousdisplays, including heads up displays or wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches and glasses), mobile phones, tablets, etc.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary environment 100 and network101 for selecting content and/or ad attributes according to data usage,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shownin FIG. 1, environment 100 may include a plurality of consumer devices103 a-103 n. In one embodiment, the consumer devices 103 a-103 n may beoperated by consumers 103 (not shown). Consumer devices 103 a-103 n maybe disposed in communication with mobile services platform 107 withservices 109 a-109 r or content providers 111 a-111 s. Services 109 mayinclude carriers and/or service providers, including data plan providersas well as providers of user preferences, profiles, or demographicsinformation. Content providers 111 may include publishers or advertisersof any variety. For instance, content providers 111 may serve as asource for advertisements or any sponsored content.

Consumers 103 may communicate or provide input to the services 109 orcontent providers 111 via user interface modules 105 a-105 n. Forexample, user interface modules 105 may create renderings on consumerdevices 103 a-103 n where associated users may interact with therendering. Users may act on renderings in order to follow links, findmore information, share information, input preferences, etc. Theconsumers 103, services 109, and content providers 111 may communicateover the network 101, such as over the Internet or a mobile network.

Services 109 and content (or ad) providers 111 may be in communicationthrough network 101, which may include the Internet, a contentdistribution network, or any other wired, wireless, and/or telephonicnetwork. Thus, services 109 may be configured to transmit data receivedfrom consumers 103 to content providers 111 and vice versa. For example,consumers 103 may provide information to content providers 111 regardingtheir preferences and content providers 111 may transmit to consumers103 content that fits the preferences.

Next, the format platform 113 may include a content and/or advertisingnetwork. For instance, the format platform 113 may be an advertisementnetwork that houses and curates a collection of sponsored content fromcontent providers 111. Format platform 113 may create, profile, andtrack connections between content attributes, data usage, and/or userinput. For example, the format platform 113 may determine to render on aconsumer device 103 a, a static advertisement banner for one data plan,whereas another data plan may cause the format platform 113 to initiatea video advertisement. The format platform 113 may further take intoaccount user history, profile information, preferences, and/or contentinformation in selecting content to display. In one embodiment,engagement or interaction between format platform 113 and consumerdevice 103 a-103 n may be initiated by a user. For example, a user mayenable an ad-supported mobile data plan using one click (e.g., byclicking a settings option, advertisement, data selection option,content start screen, notification, etc.).

In one embodiment, mobile application server(s) 115 may include or hostmobile application 115 a, which may function as an interface orintermediary between consumers 103, services 109, content providers 111,and the format platform 113. For example, the mobile application 115 amay initiate when consumers 103 are actively consuming data and promptservices 109 to monitor the data use. Then, when data use crossescertain use parameters or thresholds, the mobile application 115 a maycause format platform 113 to determine what type of content to requestfrom the content providers 111. Consumers 103, services 109, contentproviders 111, format platform 113, and mobile application 115 a may allcommunicate over network 101, which, again, may include the Internet orany other wired, wireless, and/or telephonic network. In a furtherembodiment, mobile application 115 a may collect data points from theinteraction between services 109 and content providers 111. Such datamay include device identifiers, awareness of single user's usage acrossmultiple devices, connecting users between apps and the web, determiningemail exchange information, transactional data (both online andoffline), geolocation data (e.g., for geo-fencing), mobile app usage(e.g., what apps a user has, how often they the apps are used oraccessed, how long a user may engage with each app, how deeply a usernavigates within the app, etc.), click stream data, demographicinformation, and psychographic information. This data may drive bettertargeting for content distribution from content providers 111 andawareness to anticipate user needs.

As previously discussed, the format of an ad display may be dependent ona user's data usage. For example, ad displays may involve more prominentdisplay formats when a user is nearing a limit on a data plan allocationand more inconspicuous formats may be used when a user is well withinthe data limits of his respective data plan. In one embodiment, FIG. 2Aincludes a network component that may detect a user's data usage withrespect to data limits of the user's data plan. Then, display formatsmay be selected to correspond to a user's data usage. Alternately or inaddition, a user may be actively prompted to select a new data planand/or prompted to select a preferred display format when the user'sdata consumption exceeds data plan limits or falls into a lower dataplan. FIG. 2B provides more detail on this selection process bydescribing a module that may assign attributes to each ad display, forexample, by ranking the display format in terms of varying levels ofprominence on a display screen. Then, the attributes may be used toselect display formats in response to data usage.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an exemplary model 200 of format platform113 for selecting ad attributes for display according to data usage,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Model200 reflects a system that may be implemented by either or both of theservices 109 or content providers 111, for communicating with each otherover network 101 (e.g., using any suitable modem, wireless adapter,etc.).

As shown in FIG. 2A, format platform 113 may include a control logic201, a data usage module 203, a display module 205, an ad-usageassociation module 207, and an ad selection module 209, in oneembodiment. Control logic 201 may direct the functions and interactionsamong the various modules. In one embodiment, the data usage module 203may determine data usage. The data usage module 203 and control logic201 may communicate with consumers 103 to determine an amount of data auser is consuming, is on track to consume, and/or is requestingpermission to consume (e.g., in a given time period). For example, if auser selects an option to stream a movie via a consumer device 103 a,the data usage module 203 and control logic 201 may determine a dataplan required to support the streaming.

The display module 205 may determine or create ways that content may bedisplayed on consumer devices 103 a-103 n. For example, ad display mayinclude possible presentations, sizes, or layouts, etc. for content. Forinstance, display module 205 may determine, for a particular contentitem, browser, application, or type of consumer 103, possible forms ofpresentation. One format for content display may be a sidebar foradvertisements, while another format may include a banner across the topof a screen. The displays may also be of different shapes or sizes. Forinstance, one display could occupy an entire screen, while anotherdisplay may take up portions of a screen in varying degrees. Yet anotherdisplay option may include showing more than one content itemsimultaneously. For example, the display module 205 may determine thatsome consumer devices 103 a-103 n may permit content to be shownconcurrently.

The ad-usage association module 207 may determine associations betweendata usage and content to display. For example, the ad-usage associationmodule 207 may determine that high data usage is associated with moreobtrusive content, including video advertisements of increasing lengthor larger static advertisement banners. The ad-usage association module207 may determine various levels of data usage and tie certain contentor content types to each of the levels. In one exemplary case, thead-usage association module 207 may determine a hierarchy of contenttypes from least to most visible and align the hierarchy with acontinuum of data usage, from low data consumption to high dataconsumption. Further detail is included, for example, at FIG. 2B.

The ad selection module 209 may select ad content for display. Theselection may be contingent on associations from the ad-usageassociation module 207. In one embodiment, the ad selection module 209may further incorporate selection based on user input. One type of userinput may include user interaction with selected content. In an examplewhere selected content is an advertisement, ad selection module 209 mayprompt increasing a user's data plan when a user clicks on theadvertisement. Ad selection module 209 may further elect minimallyobtrusive content or no content displays for a period of time if a useroften interacts thoroughly with the advertisement or perhaps “converts”(e.g., “clicks through”) the advertisement, or makes a purchase throughthe advertisement.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an exemplary model 220 of ad-usageassociation module 207 for determining associations between data usageand content to display, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In other words, FIG. 2B includes further detail onthe ad-usage association model 207 described in FIG. 2A. Model 220reflects a system that may be implemented by either or both of theservices 109 and content providers 111, for communicating with eachother over network 101 (e.g., using any suitable modem, wirelessadapter, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 2B, in one embodiment, ad-usage association module 207may include a control logic 221, a usage level module 223, an attributemodule 225, an ad assignment module 227, and a prompt module 229, in oneembodiment. Control logic 221 may direct the functions and interactionsamong the various modules. In one embodiment, usage level module 223 mayidentify various possible data plans or packages. The usage level module223 may further determine threshold data consumption amounts that maycharacterize a transition between various data plans. In other words,usage level module 223 may sort data plans into data consumption levels,for example, distinguished by threshold data limits.

Attribute module 225 may determine attributes associated with contentfrom content providers 111. Content providers 111 may provide ads indifferent forms, where attribute module 225 may identify attributes todistinguish the forms of ad content from one other. Content attributesmay include formats, type, size, shape, static or dynamic, frequency,and duration. Formats, type, size, and shape may refer to how contentappears as it is displayed. For instance, content providers 111 mayprovide a single frame as an advertisement, where the frame can appearin different sizes on a display of a consumer device 103 a. The framemay further be adjusted, where smaller display sizes are subsets ofcontent over larger display sizes so that content may maintain clarity.Attributes of “static” or “dynamic” may refer to whether ad contentcontains multiple frames. For example, a single display or photographicor graphic advertisement would comprise static content, whereas a videoor animation advertisement may qualify as dynamic content. Frequency maydictate how often content may be displayed, and duration may be thelength of the display or content itself. For example, duration for astatic display may refer to how long a single frame advertisementremains on a consumer 103 display. Duration for a video or audio contentitem may be the total playing time of the content item.

In a further embodiment, attribute module 225 may group content based onattributes or determine sets of attributes as equivalents. For instance,attribute module 225 may determine all dynamic content as one groupingor further categorize dynamic content based on length or duration of thecontent. Equivalents may include, for example, determining that fivestatic ads displayed for 20 seconds each, is equivalent to dynamicadvertisements that are less than two minutes long. This may translateinto displaying either the five static ads for 20 seconds each or thetwo-minute dynamic advertisement interchangeably.

Ad assignment module 227 may determine associations between the usagelevels (from the usage level module 223) and content for display. In oneembodiment, the content for display is selected based on attributesassociated with the content, as given by attribute module 225. Adassignment module 227 may further take into account user preferences,context information, and/or user interaction information. Userpreferences may include preferences either actively entered orvolunteered by a user or preferences determined based on past userhistory and/or behavior. User information may include user locationinformation or temporal parameters. User interaction information mayinclude, for instance, whether a user has interacted with content,affiliates associated with content services 109 and/or content providers111, whether a user has volunteered information to content providers 111(e.g., to improve advertisement targeting), and/or whether a user hasshared content or directed other users to displayed content selected bythe format platform 113.

For example, ad assignment module 227 may dictate that a user mayreceive a higher data plan with less obtrusive or fewer ad displaysbased on the number of friends a user invites to join services renderedeither by format platform 113 and/or affiliates of the services 109,content providers 111, and/or service platform. In a further instance,the data plan and ad display may further be contingent on how many ofthose invited friends actually sign up for format platform 113'sad-supported plan or promotions and offers from the affiliates. The adassignment module 227 may employ cookies and/or user or device opt-in orpermission models to gather the interaction information. For example,the ad assignment module 227 may observe a user's click stream ordetermine that a user has committed to receiving a certain quantity ofcontent via selection by the format platform 113. Given thisinformation, the ad assignment module 227 may determine content todisplay relative to a data usage level.

The prompt module 229 may determine triggers for changes in attributesrelating to content display, for example, as caused by changes in datausage or user actions with content. Exemplary prompts may includedetermining intermediary thresholds relative to the thresholds thatdifferentiate between various data usage levels. Then, control logic 221or control logic 201 may initiate a change in content for display beforeor as a user nears the upper limit of their current data plan. Theprompt module 229 may mean that the system does not wait for a datausage level to be upgraded before changing how or what content isdisplayed. Alternatively, the prompt module 229 may also dictate whencontent display attributes may be changed since a user has beenconsuming less data for a given period of time. In other words, theprompt module 229 may determine triggers for changing the ad displayexperience due to a data usage level drop.

Prompt module 229 may further include generating and presenting optionsfor a user, as a user is changing data usage levels. For instance, if auser commits an action that will require that he upgrade his data plan,prompt module 229 may interact with a relevant user interface module 105to create a notification, asking the user to select options out ofvarious advertisement experiences or to interact with advertisementsand/or affiliates of services 109. The user may be prompted to abide bythe options given by the prompt module 229 in order to upgrade the dataplan.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 300 for selecting adcontent to display according to data usage, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, method 300 mayinvolve determining data usage associated with a user (step 301). Forexample, control logic 201 may receive information from the services 109and/or consumers 103 that monitor data usage. The control logic 201 mayfurther determine one or more display or presentation options fordisplaying ads (step 303). For instance, content providers 111 mayprovide videos, single images, images that may expand or have differentviews, content renderings of various sizes, shapes, and layouts, etc. ona user interface. Next, the control logic 201 may determine one or moreassociations between data usage and the presentation options (step 305).Lastly, based on the associations, the control logic 201 may select apresentation option for displaying content based on the data usage (step307). For instance, higher data usage may correspond to more obtrusive,larger, more persistent, and/or more frequent ad display.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 for creatingassociations that underlie selection of content attributes for displayaccording to data usage, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, method 400 may involvedetermining data usage in terms of data usage levels (step 401). Datausage levels may be defined by thresholds. For example, in oneembodiment, control logic 201 may further determine attributesassociated with content (step 403). For example, some content may bemore obtrusive than other content. A long video advertisement is perhapsmore obtrusive than a small, static advertisement. Step 403 may includedetermining various attributes that may characterize ad content,assigning attributes to ad content from content providers 111, andgrouping ad content based on the attributes. As an additional factor,method 400 may incorporate the control logic 201 determining user input,including user interaction with displayed content (step 405). Forexample, if a user clicks on a displayed advertisement or makes apurchase based on a displayed advertisement, control logic 201 maypermit an upgrade in data usage allowance without changing attributesfor content display. Lastly, the control logic 201 may createassociations between the data levels from step 401, attributes from step403, and user input from step 405 such that levels of data consumptionpaired with user input information is associated with certain contentattributes for display.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 500 for creating promptsprior to changing content attributes for display according to datausage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.For example, the prompts may actively inform a user that their userexperience may change due to their data consumption outside of the dataallocation limits of their data plans. The prompts may further proposealternate data plans, request a user to enter or select ad formats shewould prefer (e.g., in exchange for the data usage), permit a user torefrain from engaging in data consumption outside of her data plan, etc.As shown in FIG. 5, method 500 may involve control logic 201 determiningthreshold quantities of data that delineate between usage levels (step501). Then, user interface modules 105, content providers 111, and/orcontrol logic 201 may determine one or more prompts associated with adattributes (Step 503). Step 505 may involve determining when to initiatea prompt. For example, control logic 201 and/or services 109 maydetermine that usage levels are nearing the thresholds determined fromstep 501. Then, a prompt may be desired since attributes for display maychange with a usage level change. Based on the determination, controllogic 201 may select one or more prompts to display, which areassociated with the ad attributes associated with the usage levelsrelevant for the change (step 507).

FIG. 6 depicts user interfaces showing static and dynamic ad display,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Diagram600 may include a home screen. A user may select to open an app orbrowser or to access a website that requires a data plan upgrade for theuser to display. Prior to loading the app, browser, or specific website,interface 620 may appear to show a video content item. In oneembodiment, the display of interface 620 may include the duration 621 ofthe content item display (e.g., “Your browser will launch in 15seconds”), as well as option buttons 623 for a user to interact with thecontent item (e.g., options to “shop” or “purchase”). As shown ininterface 620, the duration 621 for display may be different from thelength of the ad itself. Here, the length of the content 625 may exceedlength of the display. Upon user interaction or reaching the end of thelength of the display, a user may be presented with interface 640.Interface 640 may be an exemplary illustration of ad content that mayinvolve data consumption outside of a user's original data plan. In thiscase, a user may watch or interact with the advertisement content ininterface 620 in exchange for a data plan upgrade that allows completionof the user's request for content (interface 640).

FIG. 7A depicts user interfaces showing static and dynamic ad display,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As seenbetween interfaces 700, 720, and 740, a static banner 701 of content maybe built into the user interface. For example, banner 701 may remain aspart of a browser as a user navigates the Internet (e.g., by navigatingbetween web pages shown in interfaces 700, 720, and 740). Banner 701 maybe an instance of ad display associated with data consumption lower thandata plans that activate dynamic displays. Banner 701 may also vary insize depending on data usage levels.

In addition, interfaces 700, 720, and 740 may include an option tominimize ad displays for a certain duration. For example, collapsedcontent 703 may be “pushed down” for five seconds, then pushed up at theconclusion of the five seconds. In some embodiments, the duration may bepre-set and static. For instance, the five seconds may be pre-set. Inother embodiments, the duration may fluctuate according to data usageand/or a data plan. For instance, a high amount of data usage may causeads to be minimized for a shorter period of time, whereas low data usagemay permit ads to be less prominent and surface only after a longerperiod of time.

Minimizing content may include a display where the content appearscollapsed or “pushed down,” for example, collapsed content 703. In somecases, content 703 may be maximized, either automatically after a giventime or upon user interaction. The content 703 may be maximized, eitherif a user's data usage continues at the same rate or if a user does notinteract with the content 703. Although interfaces 700, 720, and 740show exemplary displays where content 703 may be independent from banner701, banner 701 and content 703 may also be combined. For example,banner 701 may be a minimized (e.g., pushed down) form of content 703 orvice versa.

In one embodiment, content 703 may change if it is pushed down for agiven amount of time. For example, if a user continually does notinteract with content 703 or content 703 remains pushed down, the lackof interaction may be taken as a lack of user interest in content 703.Then, content 703 may be exchanged for some other content or ad after acertain amount of time.

FIG. 7B depicts a user interface associated with a mobile device that istypically not associated with services 109, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. For example, interface 760includes a user interface for a tablet device. Tablets currently employdata plans to a lesser degree than mobile phone devices and tablet usageis generally not conducted over a carrier connection. Nevertheless, thesystem in environment 100 may still incorporate devices like tablets aspart of the consumer devices 103 a-103 n. For example, tablets that donot yet have data plans activated may be detected. Then, exemplaryinterface 760 may be presented, allowing users to opt into anad-supported data plan. Banner 761 may one exemplary presentation of anadvertising or content display unit for such devices as a user browsesthe Internet. Furthermore, environment 100 may determine when tabletsmay switch away from network 101, which supports ad-supported data plan.For example, environment 100 may detect tablets (or any consumer devices103 a-103 n) that are using Wi-Fi (e.g., home Wi-Fi), whereuponenvironment 100 may disable ads from an ad-supported data plan.

FIGS. 8A-11C may include user interfaces displaying ad content on alocked screen. In one embodiment, the user interfaces shown in FIGS.8A-8D are not specifically associated with a particular service or goodsprovider. Any sponsored content may be displayed on the user interfacesof FIGS. 8A-8D. In one embodiment, the user interfaces shown in FIGS.9A-11C promote or include lock screens specifically designated to aparticular service or goods provider. In other words, the service orgoods provider may have exclusive access to and use of the user's lockscreen. In some embodiments, this may mean that the service or goodsprovider may offer in-app installations or purchases specific to theservice or goods provider. The following description explains each ofthese exemplary user interfaces in more detail.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict user interfaces from a locked screen, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, one type ofcontent display may include ad content shown as a user turns on orunlocks a phone. Interfaces 800, 820, 840, 860, 861, 863, and 865 arepossible ad display types for a user to see upon unlocking a phone.Different interaction with the ad display may possibly trigger differentinitial data plans for when the user starts using a device. For example,a user may have the choice of swiping to the left to interact with thecontent displayed or swiping to the right to proceed to using theirdevice. Interacting with the ad displayed may set the device to a higherdata plan so the user will not be interrupted with content untilconsumption exceeds or falls below certain usage levels. Alternately,skipping the interaction may set the device to a lower data plan so thatad display is again triggered if a user wishes to open an application orbrowser. In one embodiment, interface 800 of FIG. 8A may present astatic display from a locked screen, where a user may choose or bepresented with different subsequent displays, depending on his or herinteraction with the interface 800. For example, swiping left oninterface 800 may prompt a display of dynamic ad content (e.g., playinga trailer directly on the lock screen, directing a user to a website toview the trailer, and/or presenting a video display of the trailer thatoccupies an entire screen), while swiping right may permit the user tocircumvent ad displays for some amount of time. As shown in FIG. 8B,interface 820 may be another exemplary user interface displaying asingle advertisement. Interface 820 may include element 821 that mayallow a user to interact further with ad provider content. For example,element 821 may permit a user to install an app related to an adprovider. In further embodiments, element 821 may also take a user to awebpage and/or mailing list that may subscribe a device to futurenotifications relating to the ad. Interface 800 of FIG. 8A and interface820 of FIG. 8B both show exemplary single advertisements on the lockedscreen.

FIG. 8B further includes interface 840, which depicts a “wall”advertisement display, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure. For example, interface 840 may include severalelements 841, displayed concurrently. Each of the elements 841 maypermit a user to further interact with ad content associated withcontent of respective elements (e.g., installing an app, reaching awebsite, etc.). In one embodiment, swiping in one direction acrosselements 841 may prompt further interaction with ad content, whileswiping in another direction may permit a user to scroll down a list ofelements 841. For example, a user may swipe right, across one of theelements 841 to play ad content. Alternately, a user may scroll in adownward direction to see more elements 841 and/or to repopulateelements 841 displayed on the wall. Furthermore, a user may have theoption to select multiple elements 841 to interact with. For example, auser may select various elements 841 and download apps associated withthose elements 841 all at once. Such an interaction may also update anad-supported data plan so that a user is given an allotment ofuninterrupted data usage in return for his or her interaction with theads. In another instance, a user may save or store certain elements 841to his or her wall advertisement display, perhaps as a reminder. Forexample, a user may wish to keep an ad for a movie on her interface toremind herself and easily access movie times and theaters.

In one embodiment, a wall display of interface 840 may be associatedwith a user's data usage and/or user preference or selection. Forexample, interface 840 may include more elements 841 as a user's dataconsumption increases past certain thresholds, whereas elements 841 maybe fewer where a user may be on a lower data plan. The number ofelements 841 per interface 840 may fluctuate with a user's data usage.In another embodiment, a user may select his preferences for interface840. Especially as elements 841 increase, interface 840 may includeseveral options for displaying the elements 841. For example, elements841 may be in the form of tiles, windows of various sizes, tickers, orany other desired display options.

FIGS. 8C and 8D include interfaces that may intersperse content intolock screen views, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For example, interfaces 860, 861, 863, and 865 may displaycontent, including news, articles, headlines, etc. at the lock screen.For example, the display content may include a live broadcast or streamof headlines, e.g., shown in the interfaces 860, 861, 863, and 865 in adisplay format including the words, “cast by”, a sponsor source, and aheadline. In one embodiment, the content may be derived from usersubscriptions to the content providers. Alternately or in addition,content populating the lock screen views may also be based on userpreferences, past user activity, projected user interests, etc. Contentmay further include any content and/or activity useful to a user, forexample, tracking for packages, traffic information, nutrition orfitness tracking, monitoring for spending habits, etc.

FIGS. 9A-11C depict additional user interfaces from a locked screen,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.Specifically, these user interfaces may be included in an exemplaryembodiment, where a lock screen display may be associated with aspecific vendor (e.g., a content provider, retailer, or app). Forexample, the vendor custom lock screen may be used by a vendor to engagea user. In one embodiment, an app may prompt a user to activate a customlock screen (by clicking a user interface button), in exchange for abenefit within the app. For instance, the custom lock screen may be usedto convey goods, services, promotions, discount, game credits, credit todownload apps, reward points, or any other form of quantifiable value toa user. Such lock screens may include app notifications (ornotifications from a collection of apps, for instance, dictated by theuser), cross promotions (e.g., promotions or discounts for associatedvendors or apps), advertisements, articles or headlines, weatherforecasts, custom or personalized notifications set by the user (e.g.,health statistics provided by wearable technology, personalized newsfeed, notifications from particular sources, etc.), customizablebackground images, etc. Once the user elects to activate the lockscreen, a custom app lock screen may appear. In some embodiments, thebenefit within the app may be conveyed to the user only if userinteraction with the custom lock screen reaches or exceeds a minimumthreshold interaction. For example, vendors or service/goods providersmay determine or set a minimum user interaction threshold (e.g., aminimum number of monthly lock screen or ad views, custom lock screeninstallation lasting at least 30 days, etc.). The vendors orservice/goods providers may then cease to convey a promised benefit to auser if user interaction with the custom lock screen falls below theminimum user interaction threshold. The vendor lock screen may include alock screen software development kit (SDK) integrated into an app.

Content providers in these cases may refer to a single goods or servicevendor, or a collection of vendors. For example, custom lock screens mayinclude cross-vendor or cross-app credit and promotions. For instance, apublisher may have several associated mobile game apps (e.g., vendors).Game credits could be used for any mobile game app belonging to thepublisher. In other words, game credits earned in one game may beapplied to another game associated with the same publisher. Then, acustom lock screen may include an offer to prompt a user playing onemobile game to install a new game (belonging to the same publisher), inexchange for receiving game credit that can be applied to either thecurrent mobile game, or the new game. This same model may also workacross several content providers. For example, a group of publishers mayaccept the same virtual currency across their applications, so virtualcurrency earned in one app of one publisher may still be applied toanother app in another publisher that is joined in the same group ofcontent providers. In one case, common display icons or elements may beincluded for custom lock screens associated with vendors belonging to acollection of vendors. For instance, custom lock screens for all themobile game apps belonging to one publisher may include a displayincorporating a logo or trademark associated with the publisher. Inother words, vendors may customize a look and feel of a custom lockscreen experience to tailor their branding or permit a user to easilyrecognize an app or group of apps as being associated with one another.

In some instances, the value to the user may be provided to a user inexchange for permitting a content provider to display or providesponsored content via the user's lock screen. Exemplary offers inexchange for use of a lock screen may include one or more of accessing asubscription service at a discounted rate, receiving a dollar amountand/or number of credits for in-app purchases, unlocking of premiumcontent for free or at a discount, providing a certain amount of livesin games for free, offering tools within the games (e.g., weaponry orarmor), etc. One exemplary case may include offering a discount on asubscription service, in exchange for a user installing or using acustom lock screen of an app offering the subscription service. Furtherdetail for this case is provided in FIG. 9A. Another exemplary case mayinclude offering some form of game credit or currency in exchange for auser installing or using a custom lock screen provided by a mobile game.Further detail for this case is provided in, for instance, FIGS. 9B-10B.

In one embodiment, prompts or offers to install or use custom vendorlock screens may be presented at various times. For example, apps orservice/goods providers may dictate or adjust the timing at which an apppresents such an installation prompt or offer. In one embodiment,prompts could be presented when a user has been inactive in an app for apre-set amount of time (e.g., more than two weeks of inactivity).Alternately or in addition, a prompt may be presented when a user hasrun out of lives in a mobile gaming app, for instance, and the userwishes to continue playing. Similarly, a prompt may appear when a userwishes to get to a next level within a game or expedite a portion of thegame. For example, a game may include a feature in the game storylineincluding construction of a building. The game app may present a promptor promotion offering to expedite the construction of the building inexchange for the user acquiring an in-app purchase (e.g., virtualcurrency in the context of the game, virtual currency available acrossgames available on a certain platform, a custom game lock screen, etc.).

Prompts may also be presented when a free trial is about to end, forinstance, when a user wishes to continue playing a game or continueusing a service, but switch to the free version of the game or servicerather than a paid subscription version. In yet another instance, aprompt may be linked to social media or social networks. For example, aprompt to install a lock screen may appear for a user whose socialnetwork friend or contact has installed the lock screen. Alternately orin addition, users may recommend or suggest that their friends orcontacts install a lock screen, thus causing a lock screen installationprompt to appear for those friends or contacts. A custom lock screeninstallation option may also be presented upon installation of an app.For instance, a user may download an app from a desktop computer,tablet, or mobile online advertisement. In one case, an app lock screenor app lock screen installation prompt may be presented to the user, thefirst time the user opens the app. Generally, custom lock screendisplays may take into account multiple variables to engage users andmaximize value to users. Such variables may include frequency of reward,timeliness of a reward (e.g., so as to not interrupt a user or beobtrusive for a user experience), quantity (e.g., appropriate benefitconveyed to user), demand or popularity of a vendor (e.g., a populargame may offer less incentive for a user to install a custom lockscreen, while a new game or less popular game may present a higher offerto a user, in order to promote the game), assortment of content (e.g.,displaying a custom lock screen may including one or more articles, appnotifications, ads, cross-promotions, etc. in a combination that suits auser), etc.

In one embodiment, multiple custom lock screens may be installed. Insuch a case, the display for the multiple lock screens may berepresented by different content ratios, meaning the ratio that thecustom lock screen occupies, relative to other custom lock screens orrelative to the entire available display screen surface. For example, auser may directly or indirectly (e.g., through user interactions orbehavior) select what percentage of a lock screen view gets allocated towhich custom lock screen.

In some embodiments, user behavior may influence custom lock screendisplay or function. For example, the content ratios may be dynamicbased on user behavior. For example, a custom lock screen that a userinteracts with more often, may occupy a larger content ratio or displayspace on the user's screen. User behavior may also help determine thecontent that may be displayed on a custom lock screen. For instance, acustom lock screen may include multiple ads if a user does notfrequently open her phone. Alternately, if a user appears to rarelyinteract with ads, the custom lock screen content may focus more oncross promotions, so that lock screen display may be more effectivelytargeted for the user's behavior. As stated before, custom lock screensmay further include notifications or display news items. In oneembodiment, user behavior may dictate custom lock screen display ofnotifications and news items. For example, a user's past engagement andclicks on specific articles or topics may cause notifications or newsitems related to those articles or topics to be displayed to the user.

Another way that user behavior may affect custom lock screen display orfunction, may include different offers, depending on user behavior. Forexample, a vendor may convey a higher benefit or “payout” (e.g., virtualcurrency in a mobile game app) for a user who frequently uses the customlock screen. For instance, a user who views a custom lock screen 120times or more per day may be offered $15 of game credit, a user whoviews the custom lock screen 80-119 times per day may receive $10 ofgame credit, and a user who views the custom lock screen less than 80times per day may be offered $5 of game credit. In other words, thepromotions offered by vendors via a custom lock screen, may vary orfluctuate based on user behavior or benefits derived from user behavior.

In a further embodiment, a user may actively affect the interplaybetween user behavior and promotions delivered to the user. For example,a user may select a higher ratio of ads to be displayed on his customlock screen, in exchange for a higher benefit or “payout” (e.g., virtualcurrency in a game app). In other words, a vendor may providetransparency in how user interaction with a lock screen may correspondto a benefit the user may receive in exchange for his interaction. Theuser may then interact with the lock screen according to the benefit hewishes to derive from the vendor. In another instance, a vendor mayincrease payout in exchange for the user installing related apps orproducts from related vendors (e.g., apps by the same publisher). Forexample, a publisher “X” may be associated with several mobile gameapps. A user with a custom lock screen for one of the mobile game appsbelonging to publisher X may receive a payout for installing anothergame app that belongs to publisher X.

Additionally or in the alternative, a user may permit sponsored contentdisplay on a lock screen, in exchange for data plan upgrades, forinstance. In other words, user interaction with benefits provided from alock screen may be considered interactions that may update anad-supported data plan. For example, a plan may permit a useruninterrupted data usage, high-speed capabilities, and/or a givenallotment of data usage, depending on his installation of an app-relatedlock screen. While all the embodiments thus far may include ad contentthat takes into account a user profile or user preferences, theexemplary lock screens of FIGS. 9A-11C may be used to provide targetedadvertising and/or content to users specifically based on a user'sactivity with a service or goods provider (e.g., FIGS. 9A and 11A-11C)and/or a mobile app (e.g., FIGS. 9B-11C).

Furthermore, custom lock screens may be equipped with anti-fraud tools.For example, apps may detect when an associated custom lock screen isrepeatedly uninstalled and/or deactivated within a certain time period(e.g., where a user may attempt to continually receive a payout byuninstalling and reinstalling a custom lock screen). For instance, anapp may detect that a user under the same app profile identifier isuninstalling and reinstalling a custom lock screen. Upon detection ofsuch behavior, the app may cease offering the payout or request that theuser wait a set time period before attempting to re-install the customlock screen. In one embodiment, a custom lock screen may includerecording a particular user device identifier and app profile identifierto track user behavior and ensure that the exchange of benefits forinstallation of a custom lock screen is used appropriately. Furthermore,a user date and time of interaction may be pulled from a central server(rather than from a local phone device) to avoid a situation where usersmay manipulate the time settings in a device to uninstall and reinstallthe custom lock screen within the set period of time.

In one embodiment, a custom lock screen may further include a display ofmetrics associated with a vendor for the custom lock screen. Forinstance, a vendor that is a mobile game app may display a creditbalance, ranking, or game lives on the custom lock screen. A vendor thatis a social network app may include notifications of status updateswithin the social network or notifications of feedback on the user'scontent (e.g., sharing, re-posting, or “like”-ing, etc.).

FIG. 9A depicts user interface 900 from a locked screen, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment,interface 900 may include a lock screen related to a service or goodsprovider. The service or goods provider may optionally be associatedwith a specific app. In any case, a service or goods provider may wishto display promotional content to a user, via the user's lock screen.For instance, a promotion may offer a trial subscription for at adiscount from the full price of use of a subscription, in exchange forusing a custom lock screen associated with an app offering the discount.For instance interface 900 may include a promotion 901, offering reducedcharges for services, contingent upon downloading and using an exemplarylock screen. For example, services may include monthly subscriptionservices, e.g., TV, online streaming services, internet access,magazines, etc. In one such case, promotion 901 may prompt a user toselect discounted services (e.g., on-demand internet streaming media) inexchange for using a service-related lock screen. In one embodiment,revenue generated from custom lock screen usage may offset providers'profit loss from offering discounted services.

FIG. 9B includes interfaces that may offer benefits to a user inexchange for using an app-related lock screen, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, an app is aspecific form of service or goods provider. In some embodiments, an appis a proxy or representation of a service or goods provider. Regardingapp-related lock screens, potential offers may be presented within anapp that is being accessed by a user. For example, in a first exemplaryscenario, many popular online games are free to play up to a certainlevel but require purchase of credits or upgrades for more enhancedplay. Accordingly, app-related lock screens may include one or moreoffers to receive services from a provider app in exchange for allowingthe provider to display (or continue to display) sponsored content on auser's lock screen. Such an interface may be provided to a user, alongwith other offers of acquisition (such as paying), during or after gameplay. In some instances, offers may be provided after a game isfinished, completion of a level, etc. Alternatively, any offers may bemade periodically based on time (for example, on a weekly or monthlybasis) or use (for example, every time or every fifth time that an appis accessed).

In an alternate or additional exemplary scenario, potential offers maybe presented based on a user location or a user's associated contacts.For example, many online games engage several players. An interfacerequesting a user to permit displays at a lock screen may be presentedwhen one of a user's associated contacts accesses a particular app, anapp related to the particular app, or accepts a lock screen associatedwith the particular app or related app, for instance. In yet anotherexemplary scenario, “check-in” type mobile apps or dating apps may belinked with a user's location and social network. In some instances,potential offers may be presented within an app lock screen, allowing auser to contact (for free or for a discount) a certain number of othernearby users that may interact with the app.

FIG. 9B may include interfaces 920 and 940, which depict exemplarydisplays for promoting an app-related lock screen. For example,interface 920 may include user element 921, which may provide a givenquantity of app-based or virtual currency, including lives, in exchangefor the user using the app lock screen. Interface 940 is anotherexemplary display, where the display may include an overlay 941 offeringa promotion (e.g., a certain amount of game credits in exchange for auser's use of an app-related lock screen or lock screen widget).

FIG. 9C may include interface 960 for promoting an app-related lockscreen, in-app, as part of the app's display. For example interface 960may include a series of options 961 within the story of a gaming app.For instance, the series of options 961 may include virtual currency(e.g., currency that game developers may offer at no cost), includingthe sale of credits for various amounts within the context of the game.Of the series of options 961, one option may include promotion 963,which may offer to provide a certain amount of game credits (e.g., tiedto a monetary amount) in exchange for use of the app lock screen. In analternate embodiment, promotion 963 may also present an offer for a dataplan upgrade.

FIG. 9D may include interface 980 for promoting an app-related lockscreen, where the interface 980 may include a preview display. Forexample, interface 980 may include promotion 981, e.g., offering toprovide a certain amount of game credits in exchange for use of anapp-related lock screen. Interface 980 may further include a lock screenpreview 983. The lock screen preview 983 may include a snapshot of alock screen's utility, layout, and display to a potential user.

FIGS. 10A and 10B include interfaces 1000 and 1010, respectively, whichmay show exemplary app-related lock screens, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. Such a lock screen may includeseveral options for a user, for instance, directed to obtainingapp-based or virtual currency, including more lives in a gaming app. Forexample, interface 1000 may include a countdown 1001 for a user's lifespan within the gaming app. Interface 1000 may further include an in-apppurchase user element 1003, which may permit a user to purchase morelives. Another user element 1005 may offer the option to engageassociated users, for example, permitting a user to request lives fromfriends. Yet another user element 1007 may offer the option to gain freelives in exchange for permitting sponsored content to be displayed on alock screen, for instance, an app lock screen with displays specificallyrelated to the app.

Interface 1010 of FIG. 10B may include a sample or lock screen preview1011 that may also be interactive. For instance, a user may swipe leftand directly interact with the lock screen for a trial period beforeinstallation. Interface 1010 may further include an offer 1013, showinga benefit conveyed to the user upon installation of the custom lockscreen shown by preview 1011. For instance, offer 1013 may include animmediate benefit (e.g., notifications or news headlines), as well as abenefit conveyed over time (e.g., 10,000 free coins each month, inexchange for using the lock screen).

FIGS. 11A-11C depict user interfaces 1101, 1103, 1105, and 1113,respectively, involving swipe functions at lock screens associated withapps or services, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For example, lock screen interfaces 1101 and 1103 at FIG.11A may incorporate swipe functions, communicated via instruction 1107and instruction 1109, respectively, to incentivize a user to return toan app. Providing such continued promotions in ad content may encouragean individual to be a continued user of an app and/or app-related orservice-related lock screen. The swipe function for interfaces 1101 and1103 may include an option to continue with or enhance the app game. Forexample, interface 1103 may follow from interface 1101 in response to aswipe action. Meanwhile, interface 1105 at FIG. 11B may include adisplay where another product or app may be advertised in the lockscreen. In the exemplary scenario displayed in lock screen 1105, offer1111 may allow a user to download another app by swiping across the lockscreen (e.g., similar to an in-app purchase).

For interface 1113 of FIG. 11C, an app may be activated directly fromthe lock screen. For instance, interface 1113 may include a notification1115 that indicates to a user that he may continue playing a game. Forinstance, notification 1115 informs a user that he has “lives” forplaying in a game. Interface 1113 may then permit a user to activate thegame or begin playing the game. For instance, instruction 1117 informmay a user that he may swipe in one direction to play the game.Instruction 1119 may give the user the option to unlock his phone.Accordingly, once a lock screen is downloaded, its functionality mayinclude automatic additions to a user experience within an app, as wellas automatic downloading and/or installation of additional appsassociated with displayed advertising content in response to an inputfrom a user (e.g., a directional swipe towards the left). Additionally,a particular directional swipe may lead to unlocking the phone and/orengaging with content displayed on the lock screen.

In summary, lock screen use adoption may be enhanced in numerous ways.In a first exemplary approach, offers to exchange services for vendoruse of a display may be provided at different points in a user sessionor lifetime, for example, at app launch, a push notification to aninactive user, or within a particular step during app usage.Furthermore, continued use of a lock screen may be encouraged byproviding varying timings for awarding discounts or services. Forexample, the awards may be provided immediately upon accepting the useof a lock screen. However, if a user disables and then re-enables a lockscreen in the future, the awards or services may be delayed for anothertime, e.g., 30 days.

In an embodiment, in addition to a user's data usage, offers may beoptimized by revenue associated with a user. For example, differentoffers may be provided to particular groups of users within a band ofaverage revenue per unit.

FIGS. 12A and 12B include diagrams of user interfaces showing datausage, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.For example, a user may wish to upgrade to a higher data plan innoticing that ad displays are increasingly part of his user experience.In another example, the user interfaces presented in FIGS. 12A and 12Bmay be actively presented to a user upon detection that a user's datausage habits may be more suitable for a data plan other than the user'scurrent plan. FIGS. 12A and 12B may provide exemplary user interfacesthat facilitate user selection for a data plan change that may beappropriate for the user's data consumption. For example, FIG. 12Aincludes diagrams of exemplary user interfaces relating to a mobilephone. Interface 1220 may include a display of a user's data usageversus cost for available data plans, e.g., where available data plansmay be discounted data plans that may include an ad supported data plan.Furthermore, interface 1200 and interface 1220 may permit userinteraction with the interfaces to change the user's data plan. Forexample, interface 1220 may include a notification 1240, e.g., a promptfor a user to confirm a change in data plan. Notification 1240 mayappear where user interaction with interface 1200 and/or interface 1220is detected. In one embodiment, the interface 1200, interface 1220,and/or notification 1240 may be in communication with a payment entity,where a user's selection to change data plans causes automatic paymentand immediate activation of an updated data plan. In one embodiment,interface 1200 and interface 1220 may include recommendations on a dataplan that best suits a user's data usage. For example, suggestion 1201may be part of a display so that a user may easily compare data plans.In one such case, usage may be monitored for a given amount of time anda suggested data plan may be created based on the results from themonitoring. In one embodiment, the suggested data plan may be createdspecifically for a user. In another embodiment, the suggested data planmay be an optimum data plan for a specific user, given the data plansavailable.

FIG. 12B includes analogous interface 1260 for data plan comparison on atablet device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In one embodiment, interface 1260 may include suggestion1261 for a recommended data plan. Interface 1260 may further includenotification 1263 to verify a user's selection to change data plans.

As previously discussed, a user may unlock individual apps, mobilewebsites, or content provider widgets and lock screens, either based oncompleting certain actions (e.g., contributing to user input) and/orpaying a small fee (e.g., $5/month). Interfaces shown in FIGS. 6-12B areinstances of user interfaces where a user may encounter such a microplan. A user may employ the micro plan to test whether their data usagewarrants an upgrade in a standard data plan. For example, if a userfinds that she is often asked to complete actions, she may be usingenough data that an upgrade may make sense. At that point, the user mayopt for an upgrade in their standard data plan for a retail price (or adiscounted price, perhaps associated with the initial micro plan).

Additional objects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments may beapparent from the previous description, or may be learned by practice ofthe disclosed embodiments. The objects and advantages of the disclosedembodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements andcombinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that the general description is exemplary andexplanatory only and not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, asclaimed.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for processing electronic transactionsbetween a user's device and a content provider, the method comprising:generating a display of electronic advertisement content on a lockscreen of the user's device, wherein the advertisement content occupiesa user-specific proportion of the lock screen, the user-specificproportion of the lock screen occupied by the advertisement contentbeing determined according to user behavior including how frequently thelock screen is displayed or how frequently the user interacts with thedisplayed content of the lock screen; and increasing a data usage limitassociated with the user's device based on user interaction with theadvertisement content displayed on the user's device, such that agreater amount of user interaction with the advertisement content causesa greater increase in the data usage limit.
 22. The method of claim 21,further comprising: determining a plurality of display options for theadvertisement content; retrieving a data consumption level associatedwith the user's device; and selecting one or more of the plurality ofdisplay options based on the data consumption level associated with theuser's device.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the plurality ofdisplay options vary according to user preferences, context information,and/or user interaction information.
 24. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: categorizing the plurality of display options; and creatingassociations between the categories of the plurality of display optionsand data usage levels.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:creating a hierarchy of the plurality of display options from mostprominent display formats to least prominent display formats; definingthe data usage levels as low data consumption or high data consumption;associating the most prominent display options with low dataconsumption; and associating the least prominent display options withhigh data consumption.
 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:creating the plurality of display options for the advertisement content.27. The method of claim 21, further comprising: receiving, from a userof the user's device, a selection of custom notifications, wherein thecustom notifications include one or more of health statistics providedby wearable technology, a personalized news feed, weather forecasts, andnotifications from user-selected sources.
 28. The method of claim 21,wherein the user-specific proportion of the lock screen occupied by theadvertisement content is further determined according to user selectedoptions.
 29. The method of claim 21, further comprising: prompting auser to accept promotions in exchange for allowing display ofadvertisement content on the lock screen.
 30. The method of claim 21,wherein the user's device includes a mobile phone or a tablet.
 31. Asystem for processing electronic transactions between a between a user'sdevice and a content provider, the system comprising: a data storagedevice storing instructions for processing electronic transactions; anda processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a methodcomprising: generating a display of electronic advertisement content ona lock screen of the user's device, wherein the advertisement contentoccupies a user-specific proportion of the lock screen, theuser-specific proportion of the lock screen occupied by theadvertisement content being determined according to user behaviorincluding how frequently the lock screen is displayed or how frequentlythe user interacts with the displayed content of the lock screen; andincreasing a data usage limit associated with the user's device based onuser interaction with the advertisement content displayed on the user'sdevice, such that a greater amount of user interaction with theadvertisement content causes a greater increase in the data usage limit.32. The system of claim 31, wherein the system is further configuredfor: determining a plurality of display options for the advertisementcontent; retrieving a data consumption level associated with the user'sdevice; and selecting one or more of the plurality of display optionsbased on the data consumption level associated with the user's device.33. The system of claim 32, wherein the plurality of display optionsvary according to user preferences, context information, and/or userinteraction information.
 34. The system of claim 32, wherein the systemis further configured for: categorizing the plurality of displayoptions; and creating associations between the categories of theplurality of display options and data usage levels.
 35. The system ofclaim 34, wherein the system is further configured for: creating ahierarchy of the plurality of display options from most prominentdisplay formats to least prominent display formats; defining the datausage levels as low data consumption or high data consumption;associating the most prominent display options with low dataconsumption; and associating the least prominent display options withhigh data consumption.
 36. The system of claim 31, wherein the system isfurther configured for: receiving, from a user of the user's device, aselection of custom notifications, wherein the custom notificationsinclude one or more of health statistics provided by wearabletechnology, a personalized news feed, weather forecasts, andnotifications from user-selected sources.
 37. The system of claim 31,wherein the user-specific proportion of the lock screen occupied by theadvertisement content is further determined according to user selectedoptions.
 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is furtherconfigured for: associating lock screen displays with a particular goodsor services provider; and displaying advertisement content for theparticular goods or services provider on the lock screen of the user'sdevice.
 39. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is furtherconfigured for: prompting a user to accept promotions in exchange forallowing display of advertisement content on the lock screen.
 40. Thesystem of claim 31, wherein the user's device includes a mobile phone ora tablet.